Dallas Cowboys sign free agent running back Royce Freeman

The Dallas Cowboys are bringing running back Royce Freeman back to the Lone Star State this week, signing the free agent to a new one-year deal for the 2024 season. Freeman has previous stops with the Broncos, Panthers, Texans and the Rams. He spent the 2023 season with the Rams, who picked him up after the retirement of Sony Michel.

Freeman has spent the majority of his career as a backup contributor. He’s made nine career starts in 79 games played. In his first six seasons in the league, the 2018 draftee has posted 471 carries, 1,792 yards with 10 touchdown runs. He’s also added 86 receptions, 532 yards and one more touchdown.

In 2023 for the Rams, Freeman surpassed the 300-yard mark for the first time in four seasons. He had a career-high as a rookie with 521 yards on 130 carries, followed up by 132 carries and 496 yards in 2019 for the Broncos. Last season, he posted 319 yards and two touchdowns on 77 carries.

The Denver Broncos drafted Freeman in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft with the No. 71 overall pick out of Oregon. He spent three years with the franchise before splitting the 2021 season between the Texans and the Carolina Panthers.

Freeman’s last deal was for one-year, $1.08 million but his new contract figure with Dallas is still unknown. Despite signing a new running back, the Cowboys are still expected to draft a running back in the 2024 NFL Draft after the departure of Tony Pollard in free agency. The team re-signed former South Carolina standout Rico Dowdle to a one-year deal last month.

Cowboys own seven picks in 2024 NFL Draft

The Cowboys currently own seven picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. They have four of the original picks (RD1.PK24, RD2.PK56, RD3.PK87, and RD7.PK244). Dallas also received two compensatory picks (RD5.PK174, RD6. PK216). They also acquired a seventh-round pick (RD7.PK233) via trade with the Raiders. The only round the team currently does not have a selection in is the fourth.

The Cowboys sent a fourth-round pick to the 49ers last year for former first-round QB Trey Lance. They also gave a fifth-round pick to the Chiefs for a six-round pick in last year’s draft, with which they drafted cornerback Eric Scott Jr. They gave up a sixth-round pick to Houston in exchange for wide receiver Brandin Cooks last offseason as well.